Tuesday, January 2, 2024
Year : 1, Issue : 18
Bangladesh national women’s football team captain Sabina Khatun stressed playing as many international friendlies as possible to defend the title of the SAFF Women’s Championship, which will be held in October-November this year.
Bangladesh will have four FIFA windows before the South Asian regional competition – February 19-28, April 1-9, May 27-June 4, and July 8-16 – all of which are likely to be held in Dhaka.
Bangladesh clinched their first SAFF title in September 2022 but have played only seven international matches since, including four friendlies and three matches in the Asian Games, till the end of 2023.
Following their SAFF triumph, the women’s team became frustrated with the Bangladesh Football Federation withdrawing their participation from the Olympic 2024 Qualifiers.
‘Since we will have the SAFF (women’s) Championship in October, the most important thing is to play friendly matches, and it is a must as there is no better alternative for us to prepare for the tournament,’ Sabina made the remark through a video message on Tuesday.
‘Among the South Asian nations, the SAFF Championship is always in the centre of concentration. So, keeping it in mind, we will look to have a plan to go forward,’ said the women’s team’s senior-most forward.
Bangladesh won 8-0 and 3-0 against Singapore in December following their first Asian Games in September, where they suffered 0-8 and 1-6 losses against Japan and Vietnam, respectively, besides a 1-1 draw against Nepal. They played two 0-0 and 1-1 draws against Nepal at home.
